Carbon nanofibers introduce nitroguanidine propulsion to improve mechanical properties, and the study of thermal decomposition, combustion behavior and molecular dynamics

High-energy propellant always encounters deficient mechanical properties and unstable combustion behavior under low temperature, leading to difficulties in subsequent use. Herein, the reinforcement filler carbon nanofibers (CNFs) were pioneered introduced into nitroguanidine propulsion, meanwhile, the molecular model and structure–function relationship of high-solid content propellant system was constructed. A sequence of characterizations manifested that CNFs were integrated well in propulsion system. The result of mechanical properties demonstrated that anti-impact strength increased with the increase content of CNFs in propellant, and a proper content range from 0.25 % to 1.0 % exerted better mechanical strength than that of high content under different temperature conditions. A "wire-tie" structure acting bridging effect that exhibit buffer exoenergic effect in terms of the enhancement mechanism was proposal as well, combing the theoretical calculated interaction of nitroguanidine (NQ) and nitrocellulose/nitroglycerin (NC/NG). Additionally, the analysis of thermal decomposition kinetic of propellant by conventional iso-conversional rate methods demonstrated that the addition of CNFs can could furtherly reduce the activation energy of NQ-GP, which is accord with the result of linear fitting methods. It also demonstrated that the thermal decomposition behavior of propellant was influenced by different high-pressure conditions and CNFs content, including Tp and heat-release. Additionally, propellant integrated with CNFs burning steadily under different temperatures, and the burning rate coefficient and burning pressure exponent of propellant could be also flexible tuned with proper content of CNFs. Hence, the presented study highly broadens the application scope of reinforcement nanofiller, and will be potential of value to the community development in high-energy and high strength gun propulsion in aspect of combining experimental and theoretical calculation.